Marrakech: Peacock Pavilions and a tale of botanical woes

Once upon a time, in a real kingdom far, far away, there was a blogging girl named Maryam who was fond of plants.  Indeed, so enchanted was she by the silvery branches of olive trees, that she bought a small olive grove in Marrakech.  Imagine that.

For a time, it seemed like Maryam and her olive trees might live happily ever after.  But, like all fairy tales, it soon became evident that things were not as they should be.  Because although the trees had the family's love, as well sun and water, they had few other plants with which to share their leafy feelings.  Lonely and depressed, olives began dropping from their branches for no reason at all.

Now Maryam wanted her trees to be happy.  So she timidly bought cypres, agave, bougainvillea, and roses......but they felt lost in the vast expanse of 8.5 acres of land.  It soon became evident that the family required help of the expert variety.  A fairy god landscaper was needed.  Maryam tried numerous tricks to evoke a fairy god landscaper. She rubbed random lanterns with genie potential in the Marrakech souks.  But......nothing happened.  She clicked her heels and tried spells purchased from magicians on the Jemaa el-Fna square.  But....the spells appeared to be broken.  In sheer desperation, she even sent a polite email to the fancy American landscaper who had done the plan for the American School of Marrakech.  But he didn't bother to reply to her - it appeared she wasn't important enough to even merit politeness.  Sigh, where were she and she and she when Maryam needed them most?

All seemed lost.....It was then that a Moroccan landscaper showed up on the land, unannounced.  He drove a pumpkin coach, err, a pickup truck and called plants by their Latin names.  Impressed, Maryam invited him to walk the property.  And - as in all fairy tales - she also told him her three wishes:  1) an Andalusian garden with drought-loving plants; 2) clipped rosemary hedges with their heady scent; and 3) an organic vegetable patch with seeds carefully sourced.  Much to her surprise, the landscaper told her that she could have more than just three wishes (Oh my!).  Maryam hired him on the spot, of course.  He asked for an advance (even fairy god landscapers get paid these days) and she said......... yes.

The months passed, and the would-be fairy god landscaper was behind schedule, waaaaaay behind schedule.  Maryam began to grow worried.  She knocked on his office door and called him on the phone, first weekly, then daily, seemingly to no avail.  Finally, when her fingernails had been bitten down to the quick, she received a message that the landscaping plan was done.  She crossed herself, made a namaste, and did a left sided and a right sided cartwheel.  She alerted the Peacock Pavilion olive trees, who alerted the sparrows, who alerted the ladybugs.  And everyone felt, well, happy, in the sparkliest way possible.

However..... it appeared their happiness was premature...... The landscaping plan turned out to be a measly set of stapled-together pages of nothing at all.  And after fruitless discussions to try to rectify the situation, the architect husband -- normally so kind -- threw the "landscaping plan" straight into the trash..........

Oh dear.  They had been swindled.

This fairytale does not have a happy ending.......but perhaps.... it is still a tale-in-the-making.  For the time being, however, sad Maryam and her sad olive trees are scanning the horizon, hoping that someone will show up soon to apply for the vacant fairy god landscaping position at Peacock Pavilions. Oh please, let it be this week or next. 

(Warning to all charlatan landscapers:  the dungeons at Peacock Pavilion are rumored to be a very scary place, indeed, absent of all light and populated only by man-eating cacti.   Don't make me take you there....)

To be continued......

PS  Take a peek at this pretty, pretty vintage Moroccan wedding blanket I sent darling Jeanine at one of my fave blogs, AphroChic.  This lovely blanket has dark embroidered strips among the fringe and the sequins.  Yowza!  I have new stock of vintage Moroccan wedding blankets - so please let me know if you would like one (maryam at mtds.com) .  I also have some delectable vintage Moroccan Beni Ourain and other carpets - I will be posting on those soon.

Comments

[Shelly]

Oh...I want to apply for the job. The closest I've ever come to designing for your climate was a small installation in Palm Springs. Hmm...I think the commute would prove to be a bit of a challenge. ;)

[Shelly]

Oh...I want to apply for the job. The closest I've ever come to designing for your climate was a small installation in Palm Springs. Hmm...I think the commute would prove to be a bit of a challenge. ;)

[Proud Peacock girl Kathie]

So sorry to hear of this little setback.... But don't worry, maybe it's just the universe testing you again. Or just making for another good story later on when you're all up & running. Perhaps the perfect landscaper just wasn't ready for you yet at the time you chose the scammer. I'm praying for you that the REAL fairygod landscaper comes along soon! PS- any news yet on the Peacock feather leather slippers?

[Laini]

Horrible! I hope you find your fairy god landscaper soon. It seems like a wonderful project!

[designdna]

oh maryam, it will work out. it always does...one way or the other! i can not wait for the day i read you are all settled in, seeing it, smelling it, living it. you are so close.

[Morocco Property]

Maryam, very sad, narrated in beauriful way. Pray to God for your palnts. He is the best solution.

[Alice C]

You might like to contact the RHS based in Wisley who may be able to recommend somebody local in Morocco or may have an expert in Mediterranean planting based at Wisley.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/index.htm

[Di Overton]

You have been given a - You Make My Day Award - at my blog today - Well deserved my dear

[Maroc Mama]

Maryam,

I'm so sad to hear that things didn't turn out so well yet. But I might be able to help you in this endeavor with local contacts. No promises, but I shall try. Your package has arrived and I have a date tonight with the UPS man. Also, not sure if you're interested but I may have an event for you and your family to come to in Marrakech a week from Saturday....I'll tell you more later :)

[Cheryl Janis]

Hi Maryam, I love you voice in this story. It is all things in perfect alignment with the Universe, although it may not seem so. You take an obstacle that had been placed in your river of life and simply allowed yourself to move around it. That's in perfect harmony with really good feng shui. There might be good reason for all this. There usually is, huh? Blessings, Cheryl from planetpinkngreen.com

[Great Dame]

Well, I'm far across the globe, but may be able to help a wee bit. I sent you an email with a bit more info. Hope that you can have glorious, blooming gardens soon.

[Annie]

Sending good thoughts your way for a most
wonderful landscaper! Also the blanket is beautiful, I know it is way beyond my budget
, but could you tell me how much one of those
beauties costs? Thanks

[Gillian]

What a drag that you were shysted like that. What is wrong with people?
It sounds like you were doing fine on your own...though I can imagine that size of land is a full time job to landscape. I know whoever comes to your rescue will do a fine job for you, and do your place justice.
I love love love bougainvillea...can you grow wisteria there? I love wisteria the way it clings and creeps!
Much love M!
xo

[Lalla Lydia]

Great story - sounds like a regular "The Caliph's House" kinda swindle! Sorry you got had, but best of luck in creating your garden of earthly delights!

[Jacqueline]

Oh, I'm so sorry that happened to you! I always hope that karma will get people like that in the end, though. And I'm sure the gardens of Peacock Pavillions will be just as magical as the rest of it!

[Elizabeth]

Oh, no!
This all sounds ghastly.......
I will come to lend a hand as soon as I get back.
I miss the garden on LI terribly.
However, I think in Marrakech water is the biggest problem.

[amisha]

oh maryam... sending you wishes for a fairy landscaper! so sorry that you got swindled... but i know that your garden will one day grow!! thinking of you sweet one. xox

[Maroc Mama]

No promises Maryam, but I have my husband on the hunt in Marrakech for you :)

[Passementerie]

Oh, I know from my parents that landscapers are a *nightmare* to find - there are so few good ones out there - I wish you the best of love, my love! I can't wait until the day when I have a garden of my own...

[John]

Sorry to hear of your contractor woes. I think at some point everyone has at least one story like this when they deal with contractors.

If you need a little something to get things going your way, always remember that the implied threat of voodoo often works. Scarlet and I call it "Voodoo Contracting."

[all things bright and beautiful]

Maryam - your threat to charalton landscape gardeners makes me LAUGH!

[jody]

I hope your landscaping and gardening woes are soon a thing of the past!

That blanket is stunning!

[Lise Richards]

We've been there too. In fact, we are seeing a lawyer today about the very same issue. Just know that what has been stolen is promised to return to you with interest :-)

BTW - where should I send your homespacing kit? You won!

[patricia gray]

Oh Dear, I am embarassed for the human race!

[Rolf]

I love your site, my mom, annie k told me about it, although I have just come across it via a search engine.

Regards

r
www.myphotographer.co.za
www.masterscapes.bundublog.com